Body color translucent, shining silver to greenish-gray with a violet lustre on caudal peduncle (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Vertical steel-blue markings on sides of the body. A deep black, golden-edged blotch at the base of caudal fin. Fins are yellowish.

Spawning: Breeds freely in ponds, tanks and small streams (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Mating takes place during dusk or dawn; about 30 eggs are scattered at a time and eggs hatch in 24 hours (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000).

Fishery info: Used as ornamental fish in aquarium (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Also as bait for Tor, Channa and other large carnivorous fish (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). Caught by Veshal, cast and drag nets (Shafi and Quddus, 2001).

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REFERENCES

Blyth E (1860) Report on some fishes received chiefly from the Sitang River and its tributary streams, Tenasserim Provinces. Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 29(2):138-174.

Hamilton F(1822) An account of the fishes found in the river Ganges and its branches. Edinburgh & London. An account of the fishes found in the river Ganges and its branches.: i-vii + 1-405, Pls. 1-39.